Posts made in June, 2012

PAMF podiatristKathleen Halat, DPM, enjoys the variety of patients she sees in Santa Cruz, which includes athletes, children and people with diabetes. Whether she’s treating wounds or mending sports injuries, each patient she encounters presents a challenge she is eager to meet. For Dr. Halat, it’s exciting seeing a person she’s treated out running or bike riding.

“My husband and I were riding our bikes a couple months ago and I saw one of my patients cruise by me, walking really fast,” said Dr. Halat. “That was someone I had operated on, and he looked so happy. That made me happy for an entire week.”

Getting ready for a dream vacation? Remember the swimsuits and hiking boots, but don’t forget to pack good health, too.

“Preparing early, especially if you are going abroad, and packing some simple but essential supplies will ensure that your vacation time is spent at the beach or exploring local attractions and not at the doctor’s office, says N. Kay Morrison, M.D., director of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s Sunnyvale Travel Clinic.

Dr. Morrison’s top three tips for what every health savvy traveler should pack:

Any prescription medications that you may need. If you have a tendency to strain your back or succumb to allergies, take the medications you know help you, even if you haven’t had symptoms for a while.

An effective insect repellent. Choose one that contains DEET. If you are traveling where malaria occurs, take protective clothing with you.

A good first aid kit. This should include medicines you use and prefer. Don’t overlook the basics such as sunscreen, bandages, an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment, diarrhea medications and cold remedies. If you’ll be very physically active (hiking, rafting, climbing), take supplies to treat blisters, insect bites, abrasions and other treatments for injuries that experience has taught you to anticipate.

Vacationing in India? Seeing the sights of South America?
International travel is often exciting and exotic, but you can be exposed to contaminated food, impure water or germs that can lead to unexpected medical problems. Our experienced travel medicine doctors at the Fremont and Palo Alto centers and the Sunnyvale Travel Clinic can help you prepare for all your international travel needs and ensure you have a healthy vacation abroad. You can also check out these healthy travel resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the PAMF website.

Shirley Leong, M.D., loves the opportunity to be part of the lives of the families she cares for as a pediatrician at PAMF’s Fremont Center.

“I get to share children’s life experiences such as their first steps and the first day at kindergarten,” says Dr. Leong. “It’s most rewarding and an honor to help keep kids healthy, make sure they are growing and developing well and to see them turn into their very own people.”

Working and spending time with children has always been an integral component of Dr. Leong’s life.

“Growing up I did a lot of work with kids,” says Dr. Leong. “After seven summers of helping out at day camp and doing other children’s ministry work, I knew I wanted to work with kids.”

Beyond caring for her patients at PAMF, she travels to China in her free time to volunteer at a foster home for orphans, providing medical care and health education.

“Personalized Care is really about listening to people,” Dr. Glinder says. “A good doctor is there for you through good and bad times. He or she listens to you and shepherds you through any health problems you are experiencing to find the best solution for you.”

Seeing his young patients benefit from his care is a daily joy. “Just the other day I had a child with asthma come in who was having trouble breathing,” says Dr. Glinder. “When he left, I heard him say, ‘Mommy, I feel great!’ It just warmed my heart. That’s why I’m in pediatrics.”

Having been overweight for many years, Rashel Brandon knew she needed to take action. “I’m a critical care nurse, and I knew I couldn’t tell my obese patients to live a healthy lifestyle if I wasn’t following the advice myself,” Rashel says.

“I knew that I wouldn’t be around to see my kids graduate from high school – that’s how heavy I was and how sick I was. I wanted to live.”

About This Blog

Welcome. This blog offers articles and general health tips from PAMF medical experts to promote wellness and health education in the community. It does not provide personalized medical advice - if you have a personal medical question, please contact your doctor directly to discuss. Thank you for visiting our blog.